minimum specs needed for 4k monitor?

[luv2liv]

hi guys, what is the min specs i need to run a 4k monitor? i dont game, i just want to view 4k vids on youtube for now, and 4k from netflix in the future. what mb, ram, cpu, gpu....?
i did google but it seems so many answers are for GPU only.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The catch is "4K Netflix in the future." That means h265 support, which means the floor currently is some PC with a GTX 960 in it. That is the only futureproof option for 4K right now.

If you can do without some future that we aren't to yet (aka accept that the machine will be replaced in three years) any cheap Celeron box will work.

 

[luv2liv]

my current CPU is AMD Phenom 2 x4 955 3.2 Ghz n the rest of the specs are about 5 years ago too.
so to watch 4k youtube, all i need is a new vid card?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Well not just any old video card. If you want to be futureproof for 4k material with that setup the only card that will work is a GTX 960. Anything else (even more expensive cards or anything from AMD) won't work.

 

[luv2liv]

ok. thanks for the advice! found 1 for $200. holly cow these cards are humongous! reminds me of the old 3dfx voodoo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127842

 

[poofyhairguy]

If that card is too big here is a smaller and cheaper GTX 960:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500371&cm_re=gtx_960-_-14-500-371-_-Product

 

[soccerballtux]

I'm sure other cards will support it.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I'm sure other cards will support it.

In the future other cards will support it. But right now, the only one that does is the 960 GTX, and it isn't just a simple driver/firmware change that will add support to existing cards, but actual hardware change. So as stated, right NOW if you want 4k Netflix and other support for 4k video, the ONLY card is the 960 GTX (otherwise you need a beefy CPU since nothing else support H.265 hardware acceleration).

 

[EarthwormJim]

Don't forget HDMI 2.0 support too. HDMI is much more common on monitors and TVs compared with display port. Only way to get real 4k@60Hz with HDMI, without running two cables or losing color space, is HDMI 2.0.

GTX960 gets you HDMI 2.0.

 

[Elixer]

In the future other cards will support it. But right now, the only one that does is the 960 GTX, and it isn't just a simple driver/firmware change that will add support to existing cards, but actual hardware change. So as stated, right NOW if you want 4k Netflix and other support for 4k video, the ONLY card is the 960 GTX (otherwise you need a beefy CPU since nothing else support H.265 hardware acceleration).

HVEC acceleration is available on Haswell and Broadwell (5th Generation Intel Core Processors w/ HD graphics 5500, HD graphics 6000, Iris graphics 6100)
https://communities.intel.com/thread/59216

At this point, I think the OP would be better off getting a new CPU, while the Phenom 2 was good, it is pretty slow these days.

Since there isn't that much 4K content yet, it is best to hold off on the video card and wait for something better than the 960.

 

[poofyhairguy]

HVEC acceleration is available on Haswell and Broadwell (5th Generation Intel Core Processors w/ HD graphics 5500, HD graphics 6000, Iris graphics 6100)
https://communities.intel.com/thread/59216

That is hybrid HEVC decoding, not the full decoding like the GTX 960 has. Skylake is when Intel will have full HEVC decoding, which means if getting a new CPU is what OP wants it would be better to wait.

Since there isn't that much 4K content yet, it is best to hold off on the video card and wait for something better than the 960.

I would generally agree with that for most people, as by the fall hopefully that decoding engine is in a low-end card.

But if OP wants a 4K monitor today, and he/she wants to be futureproof today in that setup, it is a GTX 960 or bust.